May 15, 2015

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia: Eighth body found, all passengers accounted for

An eighth victim was discovered in the wreckage of Amtrak train 188 on Thursday. Officials have now accounted for all of the train’s 243 passengers. Forty-three passengers remain hospitalized and six of those are in critical condition.

Harrisburg: No charges against state police commissioner

In March, retired trooper Anthony DeLuca put up signs criticizing Acting State Police Commissioner Marcus Brown near Brown’s home. Brown removed the signs but will not be charged. DeLuca did not have approval to plant the signs in the first place, according to the Cumberland County District Attorney.

Pittsburgh: Empty freight train derails in Hazelwood

On Thursday morning, more than 10 hopper cars derailed in Hazelwood. The train cars were empty and there were no injuries.

NATIONAL

Azerbaijan secretly funds trip for 10 members of Congress

The Office of Congressional Ethics reported that 10 members of Congress took an all-expenses paid trip to a conference in Baku. The State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic sent $750,000 through nonprofit corporations in the U.S. to conceal the source of the funds.

Avian flu leads to state of emergency in Iowa

Avian flu is killing hens at an alarming rate in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and other major egg-producing states. Over 40 percent of Iowa’s egg laying hens are dead or dying. A national shortage of eggs and egg products should be expected.

California wildfires and climate change

In an unfortunate catch-22, forest fires brought on by climate change introduce vast amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

IN OTHER NEWS

Scientists uncover first warm-blooded fish

The opah is a deepwater predator and it’s the very first warm-blooded fish ever discovered, which changes everything we thought we knew about science.

Video game universe with 18 quintillion planets

Hello Games is developing “No Man’s Sky,” a procedurally-generated video game set in a universe so large it would take a player five billion years to explore.

The daily report was compiled by Stephanie Roman, a PublicSource intern. You can reach her with questions or suggestions at sroman@publicsource.org.

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After three fatalities in the last week, including a woman who was killed in a bicycle-car accident in the Oakland area, Bike Pittsburgh is petitioning for immediate safety changes. The group is asking for adjustments such as speed bumps, educational programs and traffic enforcement so bikers and motorists can better share the road.